How To Get Into Georgetown University: The Ultimate Guide

Pricutre of washington monumnet and surrounding park from above
Updated:
August 28, 2023
Contents

”Rohan

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 5/1/23

Wondering how to get into Georgetown University? Read on for all the information you need!

Georgetown University is America’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university and the first university chartered by the United States Congress. Today, it has become one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions. This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to get into Georgetown University. 

About Georgetown University

Georgetown University is a 110-acre campus located in Washington, D.C., only minutes from the White House and the downtown Washington area. Georgetown was ranked #22 in the U.S. News Best National Universities list.

Undergraduate students at Georgetown receive a liberal arts education with roots in the Jesuit traditions of social justice and care of the whole person, or “cura personalis.” 

Georgetown has nine schools, a hospital, and a campus in Qatar. There are four undergraduate schools: 

  • Georgetown College
  • The School of Nursing and Health Studies
  • Robert E. McDonough School of Business
  • Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service

Each school offers a distinct focus and unique opportunities. You may only apply to one undergraduate college at Georgetown, so pick the school or program that matches your interests the most. If you want to go in with an undeclared major, you should apply for Georgetown College. 

Tips To Get Into Georgetown

Here are some of the best tips from our Georgetown admissions experts for getting into Georgetown: 

Research Georgetown’s mission and values. It’s essential to fully understand what the university seeks in students and incorporate those values into your essays and interviews.

Know what you want to study and why. You’ll have an easier time answering essay prompts and interview questions if you’ve decided what program you want to attend. You can research Georgetown’s undergraduate degrees and be specific about what you want to accomplish at the school.

Participate in various extracurricular activities. You’ll stand out if you participate in clubs and activities related to your major that you feel passionate about. You must discuss your most significant activity, so you should have a few to select from. 

Notify your recommenders well in advance. When you submit your Georgetown Application, you’ll need to have your recommender’s contact information ready. You should connect with recommenders early so they can send the evaluation on time. Ensure your recommender can attest to your excellent academic performance. 

How to Apply to Georgetown University

You can apply to Georgetown University as an undergraduate student in three ways: a first-year applicant, a transfer applicant, or a visiting student. International students use the same application and follow the same procedures as other applicants. Georgetown University uses its own application and doesn’t accept the Common Application. 

The personalized Georgetown Application allows you to express your skills and accomplishments. There are two options for your applications: Early Action or Regular Decision. You should submit your Georgetown Application as soon as possible, regardless of the decision program you choose. 

Early Action

You must indicate your intention to apply for Early Action in the appropriate space on the application form and submit all materials by November 1. 

Early Action isn’t binding, and you have until May 1 to submit your enrollment agreement, which is the same date as Regular Decision candidates. However, if you apply under Early Action, you may not apply to any binding Early Decision programs because you would not be free to choose Georgetown if accepted. 

Early Decision applications require you to commit to attending if admitted, and you would have to withdraw applications to any other schools. If you weren't admitted in the first round, your Early Action application is deferred to the spring review. 

Requirements

A complete application for Georgetown University must include the following components: 

  • Georgetown Application
  • Application fee of $75
  • Application Supplement 
  • Secondary School Report (including transcripts)
  • Teacher’s Recommendation
  • SAT and ACT Score Reports
  • Alumni Interview (if available)

The Georgetown admissions office accepts fee waiver requests, and you can indicate that you’ll need a fee waiver on your application. Here’s a chart with all application dates and deadlines:

Date or Deadline Action
As soon as possible Submit the Georgetown Application and pay the fee
November 1 Early Action deadline
December 15 Early Action results
January 10 Regular Decision deadlines
February 1 Financial aid deadline
April 1 Regular Decision results
May 1 Last date to accept admissions offer

Arts Supplements

If you want to pursue a program in art, music, theater, or dance, you can submit optional application materials. Specific departments review the supplemental materials for the arts:

Consider whether you want to submit additional materials before you submit your application.

Georgetown University Requirements

You must fulfill numerous requirements to apply for admission at Georgetown University. 

Georgetown GPA Requirements 

Your class rank and GPA is important, although there is no required grade point average at Georgetown. However, the average GPA of admitted students is estimated to be approximately 4.01, so aiming for a higher GPA is key to a more competitive application. 

Georgetown University SAT Requirements 

Just like how there’s no GPA cutoff at Georgetown, there are no requirements for standardized scores either. However, recent data shows these SAT score ranges: 

25th Percentile 75th Percentile
SAT EBRW 700 770
SAT Math 710 780
SAT Total Score 1410 1550

Source: National Center for Education Statistics 

Aiming for Georgetown’s average SAT score or higher will make you a more competitive applicant. 

Georgetown ACT Requirements 

There are no ACT cutoffs, but this is the middle 50% score range for students submitting ACT scores: 

25th Percentile 75th Percentile
ACT English 34 36
ACT Math 30 35
SAT Composite 32 35

Source: National Center for Education Statistics 

Georgetown University Acceptance Rate

Georgetown University has an acceptance rate of 12% and an early acceptance rate of 10.8%. Georgetown’s yield rate is 49.4%, meaning just under half of all admitted students enrolled. 

Georgetown University Class Profile

The student-to-faculty ratio at Georgetown University is 11:1, and 55.4% of classes have fewer than 20 students in each class. Georgetown is also committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity on campus and in the community.

Georgetown University Supplemental Essays

You’ll need to complete an application supplement to gain admission to Georgetown University. You need to submit your: 

  • Personal information
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Honors and awards
  • Employment history
  • Recommenders’ contact information
  • Three supplemental essays 

You can find the following essays on Georgetown’s Application Supplement Reference page

Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompts 

These are Georgetown University’s supplemental essay prompts that you must answer (depending on what school you’re applying to). 

1. Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (Approximately one-half page, single-spaced)
2. “As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you.”

The next essay you’ll write depends on which school you’re applying to: 

  • For Georgetown College applicants: “What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this goal? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study.)”
  • For School of Nursing applicants: “Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, or Nursing).”
  • For McDonough School of Business applicants: “The McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial, and global perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for studying business at Georgetown.”
  • For Walsh School of Foreign Service applicants: “The Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders to solve global problems. What is motivating you to dedicate your undergraduate studies to a future in service to the world?”

How to Prepare for the Georgetown University Interview

When you apply to Georgetown University as a first-year student, you must have an alumni interview. Transfer students aren’t required to attend an interview, but they can schedule one if they want to. If there are no alumni interviewers available in your region, your interview will be waived and will not negatively impact your chances of admission. 

Your interview will be conducted by a member of the Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Program (AAP). You will receive your alumni interviewer’s contact information sometime between September and January. 

You’re expected to schedule the interview as soon as possible, but you don’t need to complete it before the application deadline. You should practice answering questions that highlight your background and achievements. You should also prepare stellar questions to ask about the university from the perspective of an alumnus. 

Here are a few examples of questions that you should expect to answer: 

  • Tell me about yourself. You should talk about your hobbies, interests, and passions that have led you to apply for Georgetown. Be specific.
  • Why are you interested in Georgetown University? You should be able to cite specific programs and organizations you want to join and why. 
  • Why do you want to major in ____? You may have already answered this question in your essays. Consider why you find a specific major interesting and reflect on experiences that have led you to this decision. 

Other topics that may come up in your interview include extracurricular activities, summer experiences, family background, college and career plans, and exposure to the university. 

Here are a few excellent questions that you can ask your interviewer: 

  • What did you study, and why did you study it? This question can be a great conversation starter, and you may be able to find a common interest in academics with your interviewer. 
  • What was your favorite part of attending this college? What was your least favorite part? These would be appropriate personal questions that you can ask an alumnus. 
  • How did you know this was the right college for you? What sets it apart? You want to ensure you choose the right place to settle for the next four or more years. Asking this question will help you take a step closer to your decision.

Should I Apply to Georgetown University?

If you’re still wondering whether to add Georgetown to your college list and apply, here are several questions you should ask yourself: 

  • What is campus life like? 
  • Do you want to attend college in an urban, suburban, or rural setting?
  • Are there enough internship opportunities available?
  • Are you interested in studying abroad?
  • What percentage of students are employed within three months of graduation?
  • What are their average starting salaries?
  • How much is the cost of tuition and room and board? Is it a deal-breaker for you and your family?

Campus Life

With over 80% of students living on campus, Georgetown University is a vibrant place to live and learn. There are more than 350 student organizations and clubs to join, including sports clubs, student publications, community service clubs, and activist groups in political and social causes. 

Academic Opportunities

When you venture off-campus, you’ll find a city that shapes the world. Georgetown has 130 D.C. partnerships with city agencies, schools, and community-based organizations. You can find many internship opportunities at government embassies, non-governmental agencies, and corporate and non-profit groups.

Georgetown also has over 200 study-abroad programs. Some programs allow you to take content courses in English along with one host country language course. Other study-abroad options include: 

  • Faculty-led summer programs
  • Language programs
  • Nursing programs
  • Service-learning programs
  • Georgetown’s satellite campus in Doha, Qatar
  • A living-learning community in Fiesole, Italy

If you’re filled with wanderlust, Georgetown is an excellent option.

Post-Graduation Goals

Of the Georgetown class of 2020, 73.7% are currently working, and 15.3% are continuing their education. The data below is based on 74.6% of recent graduates who reported their employment information.

Chart showing 2020 Georgetown Graduates Employment Report

Georgetown aims to put recent graduates on the path to success.

Finances

Tuition for full-time Georgetown students costs $30,936 per semester, not including room and board. Georgetown offers several hundred need-based scholarships to eligible undergraduate students annually, with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $60,000 per year.

FAQs: Getting Into Georgetown University

Still have questions about getting into Georgetown? Then check out these FAQs

1. What Is a Good SAT Score for Georgetown? What Is a Good ACT Score? 

While you can aim for Georgetown’s average SAT or ACT scores, it’s best to aim for the 75th percentile or higher for your best chance of admission. That means achieving an SAT score close to or higher than 1550 or an ACT score close to or higher than 35. 

2. Does Georgetown Have Early Decision? 

No, Georgetown only offers a non-binding Early Action program. The school gives all students the freedom to choose between schools until May 1. 

3. If I Apply to Georgetown Through Early Action, Can I Apply Early at Other Schools?

Yes, you can apply for the Early Action program at Georgetown and other schools. 

4. How Can I Increase My Chances of Acceptance If I Was Deferred? 

If your college application is deferred, you should maintain high grades and submit new information, including test scores, new honors, or awards. Early Action admission is offered to a limited number of students.

5. Is the Georgetown Interview Mandatory? 

All first-year applicants must schedule Georgetown interviews unless there are no alumni interviewers available in your area.

6. How Hard Is It to Get Into Georgetown? 

Getting into Georgetown isn’t as challenging as some of the nation’s other top schools, but a 12% chance of admission means you must submit a polished application. 

7. What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Georgetown? 

It’s best to aim for a GPA of 3.8 to 3.9, but Georgetown doesn’t have GPA requirements. However, a strong GPA will always bolster your application!

8. What Kind of Students Get Into Georgetown? 

Georgetown seeks students who are “highly talented and motivated.” Show off your talents, passions, and commitment to service in your applications for your best chance of admission.

9. Is Georgetown a Good School? 

Yes, Georgetown is a good school. It’s highly selective and ranks as one of the country’s top 25 schools. 

Georgetown: Your Chance to Study in the Capital

Georgetown University is well known for its academic reputation and its location. 

Remember to devote enough time to complete your application, and don’t be afraid to share your personal experiences and significant parts of your identity. These unique features are sure to help you get accepted at Georgetown.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Thanks ! You're now subscribed!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get A Free Consultation

Speak to a college admissions expert about how we can help you get into your dream school
Schedule a Call

You May Also Like

Before you go, here are a few facts about us!
The Quad Factor: Working with us can increase your chances of admission by 7x!

The Best of the Best: Our team comprises of only 99th percentile tutors and admissions counselors from top-ranking universities, meaning you work with only the most experienced, talented experts.

The Free Consultation: Our experts would love to get to know you, your background, goals, and needs. From there, they match you with a best-fit consultant who will create a detailed project plan and application strategy focused on your success.